The Best Local & International Restaurants to Try In Thao Dien abound. When people first visit or move to Saigon, they are often surprised by the incredible range of culinary options at their disposal. Vietnam has for a long time offered a heady variety of delicious dishes of its own, and that is still the case.
But additionally, over the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase in the quality and quantity of international cuisine in Vietnam. The Best Local & International Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City can match those found anywhere else in Asia, and there are a dizzying number of options offering fantastic food for all tastes and budget levels.
To zoom in further, as a foreigner living in Vietnam’s largest city, you are likely at some point to at least consider the option of residing in Thao Dien – the most expat-heavy area of Saigon’s rapidly developing Thu Duc City. With plenty of western amenities and familiar languages to be found there, it is easy to forget where you are when exploring this part of the city.
As well as being perhaps the least chaotic place to live in Saigon, the best restaurants in Thao Dien also make the area very attractive to foreign residents (and plenty of upwardly mobile Vietnamese locals).
Perhaps you already live in Thao Dien, or maybe you are curiously exploring the possibility of doing so. You may simply be looking to find great food in Thu Duc City while staying elsewhere in Ho Chi Minh City.
Enjoy our guide to The Best Local & International Restaurants to Try In Thao Dien.
And please put it to good use to fill your bellies!
PENDOLASCO
36 Tong Huu Dinh, Thao Dien, Thu Duc City / Facebook / +84 28 6253 2828
Open Monday-Sunday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Pendolasco is well known as one of the best Italian restaurants in Thao Dien and all of Saigon. Established in 1998, we’re always confident about receiving a superb family-style Italian experience at Pendolasco. If you prefer to stay at home, then they offer their excellent PendoGo service for quick and quality delivery of delicious Italian pizza and more to Districts 1-4 and Binh Thanh. Dining in, we love the choice of enjoying the lovely ambiance of their garden area or a little more intimacy and coziness inside.
Established in 1998, Pendolasco has perfected its menu over time to offer mouthwatering classic Italian food to the citizens of Saigon. Whether it’s a wide range of quality pizzas, homemade pasta, juicy steaks, or teasing desserts, Pendolasco does everything in style. Since it is one of the most welcoming family-friendly restaurants in Thao Dien, there are also suitably portioned and priced options for kids, with hilarious dish names such as “I, Don’t Care” and “I Don’t Want That” – we love it!
If you need your fix of quality Italian food in Thao Dien, you can’t go wrong with Pendolasco.
THE SNAP CAFE
32 Tran Ngoc Dien, Thao Dien, Thu Duc City / Facebook / +84 3519 4532
Open Every Day 7:30 am – 10:30 pm
We at Citypassguide.com have always been big fans of this casual yet quality Thao Dien restaurant. The Snap Cafe is great in groups and also for solo meals, as it’s quiet enough to get some work or reading done, and the atmosphere is comfortable and spacious. As for the food, we have to say that the vegetarian burger is homemade to perfection. The vegetarian chili is also very tasty, although quite small, so it’s probably not for the ravenous eater.
last time we checked, The Snap Cafe was running a burger special every Wednesday, which includes two free drinks of choice if you order any gourmet burger. Go early if you’re with a larger group, though, as it does tend to get a bit packed. It’s worth noting this is one of only a few places we can find HP Brown Sauce in Saigon, which is a classic and favorite condiment from the U.K.
Check out their Facebook page for other drink and food specials, and also look out for live bands often playing on Saturday nights. This restaurant has a sand pit and a play area for kids, it is definitely family-friendly, making it an ideal staple for all in Thao Dien.
BEP VO KITCHEN
74/1 Nguyen Cu, Thao Dien, Thu Duc City / Facebook / +84 90 872 6683
Open Every Day
Although this Thao Dien restaurant is tiny and a bit away from the main roads, it is consistently packed on weeknights. Known as a popular hangout among ex-pats due to its delicious and affordable fare, Bep Vo is also a perfect place for digital nomads or freelancers to enjoy a meal while doing a bit of work.
The Bep Vo menu is a range of local Vietnamese dishes at prices just above street vendor options. We’re a big fan of the vegetarian noodle bowl and summer rolls (you can consider swapping the noodles for rice), although we personally don’t go for the sandwich when hungry, as it’s just a bit too small. The menu options here are not particularly ideal for vegetarians (only two choices), so bare that in mind when choosing your options from the best restaurants in Thao Dien.
MEKONG MERCHANT
23 Thao Dien, Thao Dien, Thu Duc City / Facebook / +84 28 3744 7000
Open Every Day 6:30 am – 11:00 pm
Those of you seeking a classy, but not too fancy, venue for dining out in Thao Dien will likely love the Mekong Merchant. Its excellent location in the center of town certainly makes it one of the most popular Thao Dien restaurants around. The menu offers some incredible western food (we highly recommend the brunch) and also contains an extensive wine list, making it a great location for intimate date nights or social meals with friends.
The cobblestoned outdoor seating area is beautifully decorated with fairy lights and wicker lamps, which certainly complement the overall vibe of this District 2 restaurant in Saigon. Pet lovers note: Mekong Merchant is definitely one of a number of dog-friendly restaurants in Thao Dien!
BOATHOUSE RESTAURANT
40 Lily Road, APSC Luxury Villa Compound, 36 Thao Dien, Thu Duc City/ Facebook / +84 28 3744 6790
Open Every Day 7:30 am – 10:00 pm
The BoatHouse has steadily risen to become one of the fine restaurants in Thao Dien, Thu Duc City since the establishment came under new management, who have carried out delightful refurbishments and excitingly revamped its menu options. Although some of the classic BoatHouse menu items remain, there is now a brand new wine and craft beer menu, stunning tandoor oven options, and a glorious range of fusion goodness.
The BoatHouse runs a happy hour every night of the week from 3 pm to 7 pm, offers daily specials, and hosts great live music every Friday and Sunday. This place is super dog friendly, located right on the river, and is a great spot to wind down with friends after a busy week. We are definitely fans. Please be aware that you may need to obtain a security pass for the entrance of the villa compound in which BoatHouse is located. Contact the friendly restaurant staff directly for details.
SAIGON BAGEL THAO DIEN
38 Nguyen Cu, Thao Dien, Thu Duc City / Facebook / +84 90 896 4654
Open Every Day 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saigon Bagel is a fantastic addition to the foodie scene in Saigon’s Thu Duc City. Not only is it one of the fine restaurants in Thao Dien, but it’s also one of our favorite restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City (with another branch in District 1). Before discovering Saigon Bagel, it had been a long, long time since this City Pass Guide writer had experienced a proper bagel!
Customers have extensive options of bagel sandwiches and toppings, sides such as chips and salsa or guacamole, and also massive cannolis. In addition to incredible bagel sandwiches and sides, Saigon Bagel’s Thao Dien location also has several board games available to keep you occupied, including our personal favorite, Catan. Get the best bagels we know in Ho Chi Minh City right here.
SIMPLE PLACE
35, Tong Huu Dinh, Thao Dien, Thu Duc City / Facebook / +84 90 442 10 89
Simple Place is a popular Thao Dien restaurant for a number of reasons. First off, it’s conveniently located, serves great Mexican food (Tex-Mex style) and it’s super affordable. It’s a perfect option for a post-work meal if you’re not trying to do anything too fancy. It’s also an excellent choice for those living in Thu Duc City and needing to nurse a weekend hangover.
The service is Simple Place is super quick – almost unbelievably quick – and the staff is friendly and kind, which makes a huge difference to the experience. It might not be the most authentic Mexican food in Ho Chi Minh City, but it’s reliable and of great value. Stop by, but we suggest that you don’t go on Sundays when it’s closed!
JASPAS THAO DIEN
15 Tong Huu Dinh, Thao Dien, Thu Duc City / Facebook / +84 28 36368822
A popular hangout among seasoned ex-pats, Jaspas is as typical of a modern-day Thao Dien restaurant as you can get. Jaspas serves plenty of options, ranging from western classics such as Eggs Benedict and pancakes to Asian dishes like Nasi Goreng and a Korean-style beef dish.
Like many great restaurants in Saigon’s Thu Duc City, and Thao Dien in particular, the prices on this menu are a bit more than elsewhere in town. However, the contemporary and breezy atmosphere, children’s playground, and quality of food all help to make up for it. Jaspas is also a popular choice for anyone looking to book a venue for a party or event in Thao Dien.
PIZZA REALE
27-29 Nguyen Dang Giai, Thao Dien, Thu Duc City / Facebook /+84 362 118 204
While there are several new pizza joints that have been popping up within Thao Dien, Pizza Reale has done an exceptional job. While dining in is a great experience, the delivery impressed us with the speedy service and quality of the pies.
The menu has a bit of something for everyone: quality pasta dishes, Italian sandwiches, and plenty of pizza options, including several vegan selections. Also, look out for the exceptional set lunch deals they offer. Owner Manuel Reale even runs a kids’ cooking class if you want some culinary inspiration for your young ones. Overall, Pizza Reale deserves your attention as one of the best pizza restaurants in Thao Dien and Saigon.
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